Glen Rock Man Cited in Accident That Left Pedestrian in Critical Care

A 43-year-old Glen Rock man is facing two traffic citations related to an at St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson.

According to Chief John Ward, at about 3 p.m. Sunday, April 29, Vincent Traphagen allegedly made a sharp left turn from Ackerman Avenue into Doremus with his Infiniti Q45 and struck a Queens, NY, woman in the crosswalk.

The victim, identifed as 60-year-old Maryla Okoniewski, was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital suffering from "serious" head trauma. Okoniewski was visiting family on Sunday when she was struck in the crosswalk, authorities told Patch.

Sources familiar with the investigation say the victim's injuries required doctors to drill into her head to relieve the pressure.

Okoniewski had been at St. Joseph's for several days in critical condition due to the injuries sustained in the crash. 

Ridgewood police said they did not have an update as to her current condition. St. Joseph's, citing HIPAA laws, did not make her condition available.

Traphagen was issued citations for careless driving and making an improper turn, Ward said. He faces an upcoming date in Ridgewood Municipal Court.

The Bergen County Fatal Accident Investigations Squad worked the case with Ridgewood traffic officers and Sheriff's Office investigators.

Sunday's accident marks the fifth in Ridgewood this year. Police say it's the first to result in serious injuries.